n at all Paul consoles the recruit as if he was his own son. Fellow comrades have an automatic brotherhood when there lives depend one another. Kat, the leader of the pack is also a father figure to Paul. One night Paul says to Kat, “We don’t talk much, but I believe we have a more complete communion with one another than even lovers have.” This shows us how war can bring men together in peace. During the roasting of the goose Kat’s voice brings Paul peace and reassurance. Toward the end of the book Kat is killed, and for Paul it is such a horrible loss. The only thing helping Paul survive was the brotherhood of his friends. With Kat dead that is no longer possible. Paul has nothing to live for anymore, he has seen death in his face and he can no longer bear it. As Kat is being taken away the orderly asks Paul if they are related and Paul says twice, “No, we are not related.” Paul must say no, even though Kat was his hero, his father, and his life. Through thick and thin, battle and rest, horror and hopelessness, these men held each other up and had each other’s back. Paul’s losses don’t discourage him to try and keep a close relationship with the ones he still has. War is not pretty nor is it fun but a tragedy in which many people die just so others can live. All for one and one for all the pack stands together being the only thing they have left is each other. The war brought them together but it also split them up. Not blood related but closer than relatives they are brothers. ...
